Freedom Writers
Paramount Pictures | Release Date: January 5, 2007 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
64
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Critic Reviews
Positive:
20
Mixed:
9
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
Washington PostDesson Thomson
It offers a sort of Chinese food poignancy, the kind that may seem satisfying at the time but ultimately leaves us hungering for more, for something authentic. Read full review
50
The Hollywood ReporterKirk Honeycutt
The film is both too short and too long at two hours-plus. Not enough time is spent with the teens and far too much with their teacher. Read full review
50
USA TodayClaudia Puig
Freedom Writers is an earnest, well-meaning attempt at inspirational teen drama. It has some moving scenes and honest observations, based on a school in Long Beach, Calif., but the movie sinks under the weight of formula and stereotypes. Read full review
50
Miami HeraldConnie Ogle
Freedom Writers is prone to throwing in unnecessary plot developments, so it never quite succeeds as anything more than "Dangerous Minds" Redux. Read full review
50
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Rick Groen
In the recent "Half Nelson," a similarly themed classroom pic, liberalism struggled to balance its lingering hopes with its systemic despair. That film was pure fiction, yet felt absolutely true. This one is apparent fact, yet seems abjectly false. Read full review
50
Village VoiceRob Nelson
Reaction shots of the class's befuddled white boy are played for cheap laughs, but writer-director Richard LaGravenese otherwise keeps it real by recruiting cinematographer Jim Denault from Indieville High and Imelda Staunton--here playing Bitchy Old Department Head. Read full review
40
Austin ChronicleMarrit Ingman
The movie itself offers few real answers to the problems teachers face. Read full review
40
Film ThreatPete Vonder Haar
For my money, no movie comes close to capturing the high school experience like "The Substitute." Read full review
40
EmpireLiz Beardsworth
Despite solid work from the engaging cast, there’s nothing new here to distinguish Freedom Writers. Read full review
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